The next morning, Rhaine walked into class earlier than usual. Her bag hung awkwardly from one shoulder, her glasses slipping down again as she scanned the nearly empty room. Only a few students had arrived, scattered across their desks.
Perfect.
She slipped quickly into a seat near the window, one she didn't normally take. She thought if she blended into the quiet morning crowd, she could go through at least one school day without having to sit anywhere near Sam.
But fate, it seemed, had a cruel sense of humor.
The door swung open, and Sam strolled in, her smile lighting up the room even though she wasn't trying. She chatted briefly with a classmate, then scanned the desks. Her eyes landed right on Rhaine.
Rhaine's stomach sank.
No. No, don't you dare?!
Sam walked straight toward her.
"Morning," Sam said cheerfully, dropping her bag onto the desk beside Rhaine's. "This seat taken?"
Rhaine blinked. "Yes. I mean—no. I mean… sit wherever you want."
Sam grinned, pulling out the chair. "Thanks. You picked the window seat today, huh? Guess I lucked out."
Rhaine didn't answer. She stared out the window, pretending the trees outside were fascinating. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she prayed Sam wouldn't notice.
But of course, Sam noticed everything.
"You're quiet today," Sam said after a moment. "Something wrong?"
"No," Rhaine said too quickly. "Nothing's wrong. Everything's fine."
Sam tilted her head, studying her with curious eyes. "You sure? You look… tense."
"I'm not tense."
"You're gripping your pen like you're about to snap it in half."
Rhaine looked down and sure enough, her fingers were clenched tight around the pen. She loosened her grip immediately, heat creeping up her neck. "I'm just… thinking about the assignment."
Sam chuckled softly. "That's cute."
Rhaine's head whipped toward her, eyes wide. "What did you just say?"
Sam smiled, resting her chin in her palm. "I said it's cute when you get all serious about assignments. You focus so much, it's like the world disappears around you."
Rhaine froze, her face burning. She looked away again, muttering under her breath, "Stop saying weird things."
Before Sam could respond, the classroom filled up as more students arrived. Maya and Eli slipped in together, immediately spotting Rhaine at the back by the window. Maya's eyebrows shot up in amusement when she noticed who was sitting beside her.
Eli smirked. "Well, well. Looks like fate doesn't care about your strategies, Rhaine."
Rhaine glared at him, mouthing silently: Don't start.
But Maya couldn't resist. She leaned close as she passed by, whispering, "You're blushing again."
Rhaine's jaw tightened. "I'm not."
Sam, who overheard, chuckled quietly. "She really is, though."
Rhaine covered her face with her hands, wishing the ground would just swallow her whole.
---
The day went on, and no matter how much she tried, Rhaine couldn't escape Sam's presence. In group discussions, Sam leaned close to explain her ideas. In passing, Sam's hand brushed against hers as they shared papers. Even during breaks, Sam found a way to casually talk to her, her laugh echoing in Rhaine's ears long after.
By the end of the day, Rhaine was exhausted not from classes, but from fighting herself.
As the dismissal bell rang, Maya and Eli waited for her outside the gate. When she finally joined them, Maya grinned knowingly.
"So," Maya said, "how'd it go sitting beside Sam all day?"
Rhaine groaned, dragging her hands down her face. "It was torture."
Eli raised a brow. "Torture? Or temptation?"
"I don't like her!" Rhaine snapped, louder than she meant to. Several passing students glanced at them, and she quickly lowered her voice. "I don't. I can't."
Maya looped an arm around her shoulder. "You keep saying that, but your face says otherwise."
Rhaine pressed her lips together, unable to argue without exposing herself further.
The truth she didn't want to admit was simple: no matter how much she tried to push Sam away, her heart refused to listen.
And that terrified her more than anything.